Japan’s economy shrank more than initially estimated in the fourth quarter — by the most since the 2014 sales tax hike — exacerbating economic fears at a time when the impact of the coronavirus outbreak is increasing recession risks, reported Reuters.

A spike in the yen and drop in Tokyo stocks — against a backdrop of oil price cuts that are playing havoc with financial markets — add to woes for an economy which is contending with an October sales tax hike to 10% from 8%, as well as slumping tourism and supply chain disruption caused by the health crisis.

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Budget presser
14 Jun, 2026

Budget presser

OFFICIAL post-budget media briefings in Pakistan are carefully choreographed affairs, full of reassuring phrases ...
Muharram precautions
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Muharram precautions

WITH Muharram due to start next week, the authorities have already begun annual exercises to ensure that the ...
Blood bequests
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Blood bequests

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Sustainable path?
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Sustainable path?

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Prioritising education
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Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
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Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...